EVIL Islamic State are plotting to kill POPE FRANCIS, the Vatican fears, after multiple propaganda videos threatening Rome were released by Daesh militants.

Pope Francis will carry out his papal duties as normal despite the threats

We will not let ourselves be paralysed by fear

Cardinal Pietro Parolin

The Vatican has admitted it is a target for crazed jihadis due to its religious links. Any attack would send shivers across the globe.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin said recently the Vatican was considering whether to ramp up security.

He said: "The Vatican could be a target because of its religious significance.

"We are capable of increasing the level of security in the Vatican and the surrounding area.

"But we will not let ourselves be paralysed by fear."

Rome has been the subject of a number of threatening terror films released by the extremists in recent weeks.

It is thought the focus on Rome, and specifically the Vatican City, may be in response to the Pope's recent condemnation of the deadly terror attacks in Paris, as well as its status of the capital of the Catholic world.

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St Peter's Basilica in the video, bathed in an eerie orange light

Following the bloody night in Paris last month last month, in which 130 people died, Pope Francis said: "Such barbarity leaves us dismayed, and we ask ourselves how the human heart can plan and carry out such horrible events.

"There are no justifications for these things."

The latest, and most ominous video, shows CGI ISIS tanks advancing on a crumbling Colosseum, promises a final battle between "believers" and "crusaders."

It also shows an eerie St Peter's Basilica, the papal enclave within the Vatican City, bathed in an orange light and accompanied by chilling music.

The video's narrator then apparently claims that ISIS will take over Rome, destroying crucifixes and taking Christian women as slaves.

Last week, yet another video was released by ISIS, again specifically mentioning the Italian capital.

In it, a jihadi vowed: "By Allah, if we brought down France in its homeland, in Paris, then we swear, by the command of Allah, we will attack America in its heartland, in Washington, Allah permitting, and we will invade Rome, Allah permitting."

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Pope Francis, who it is feared may be next on ISIS's terror hit list

Earlier this year, the Pope's head of security Domenico Giani said the Holy See would not change his habits or lifestyle in light of the threats.

He said: "The Holy Father does not intend to abandon the style of his pontificate, which is based on proximity, that is, on a direct encounter with the greatest number of people possible.

"Even as pontiff, he has remained a priest who does not want to lose contact with his flock.

“Those of us entrusted with his security must adapt to his style and not the other way around.

"We must do everything possible so that he can continue to carry out his ministry as he wants and believes is best.”